Card stacking machine



March i8, 'i953 A. F. SMITH 293275294 CARD STACKING MACHINE Filed Deo'. zo, 1954 sheetysheei 1 ,4770 /VEV March 38,. w58 A. F. SMITH 2,827,294

CARD STACKING MACHINE I Q INVENTOR.

WHO@ J/W//w March i8, w58 A. F. SMITH 2,327,294

CARD STACKING MACHINE Filed DEC. 30, 1954 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 1N VEN TOR.

4RM/ 5MM/f United States Patent O M CARD STACKENG MACHINE Arthur F. Smith, Endicott, N. Y., assigner to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Appiication December 30, 1954, Serial No. 47 8,7 19

12 Claims. (Cl. 271-80) The present invention relates to card stacking machines and, particularly, to such machines which are adapted to stack cards latwise in a receptacle or hopper.

Certain forms of present day business machines employ cards upon which data is or may be stored by punching index point positions on the card. There are many applications wherein it is desired that such cards be stacked iiat in a receiving hopper during one or more stages in the use of the cards. Prior known card stacking machines have involved rather complex structures, thus increasing their initial and maintenance costs, and on occasion are subject to jamming and improper card stacking when processing warped or mutilated card stock.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved card stacking machine which lavoids certain of the disadvantages and limitations of such prior machines.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel card stacking machine of simplified construction having a minimum of that type of moving component which by virtue of its character and motion has inertia affecting the desired operating characteristics of the machine, particularly in connection with the matter of going out of tolerance by virtue of an excessively high rate of wear.

It is an additional object of the invention to provide an improved card stacking machine possessing high card handling capacity with precision of card stacking even while processing warped or mutilated card stock.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simplified card stacking machine in which substantially all machine motions are of the rotary type having accurately established and maintained timed relationships which greatly enhance the uniformity and reliability of the card processing operation.

A card stacking machine embodying the invention includes opposed feed rolls for feeding successive cards edgewise through space toward a hopper, and rotating pusher members positioned at each end of one of the feed rolls and including vanes which engage the trailing edge of each card immediately after its disengagement with the feed rolls and further propel the card toward a stacked position in the hopper. A plurality of rotating baffles engage the surface of each card near the trailing edge to deect the trailing edge below the leading edge of a succeeding card and also to maintain the lagging edge of a card in engagement with the pusher members during a predetermined propulsion interval of the latter. The lower feed roll preferably is provided with spaced annular grooves in its surface, and a pivoted patter member is provided with prongs lying within such grooves to strip any recalcitrant cards from the feed rolls. The patter member moves about its pivot for the purpose of engaging the trailing edge of the card `after which reverse movement of the patter eases the card onto the stack of cards in the hopper to enhance the uniformity and precision of the ultimate card stack.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear `as the detailed description proceeds in the light of 2,827,294 Patented Mar.. 18, 1958- a the drawings forming a part of this application and in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a top view of a card stacking machine embodying the present invention in a particular form;

Fig. 2 illustrates an end elevational view of the machine;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view along the plane 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the plane 4 4 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary View of certain of the machine components and is used `as an aid in explaining the opera-tion of the invention.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the card stacking machine here illustrated usually comprises a terminal component of a more extensive tabulating, calculating, or the like machine using punched `statistical record cards. The stacking machine vincludes a pair of vertically positioned opposing feed rolls 10, 11 having respective end shafts 12, 13. The end shafts 12 of the roll 10 are journaled in xed bearings 14 provided in the end plates 15, 16 of the machine. Similarly the end shafts 13 of the roll 11 are journaled in floating bearings 17, 17 which are supported in channels 1S of the end frames 15, 16 in order that the roll il may be biased toward the roll 10 by means not shown. One end of the shaft 12 of the roll 10 is connected by bearing, not shown, to a suitable driving source.

There is provided on each end shaft 12 of the roll 10 a sleeve 19 having a roll portion 20, an annular groove 21, and a pinion gear portion 22. Each collar is fixed to the shaft 12 as by a set screw 23. Rotatably supported upon each end shaft 13 of the roll 11 is a somewhat similar collar 24 having a roll portion 25 engaging the roll portion 2t) of the collar 19 and having a gear portion 26 meshing with the gear portion 22 of the collar 19. The gear ratio between these gears is such that the roll 10 turns one and one-eighth revolution per card cycle whereas the collar 24 turns one revolution per card cycle. The collar 24 is free to rotate on the end shaft 13 as mentioned and is retained in position by a bushing 27 secured by a set screw 28 to the shaft 13. Each collar 24 is provided with concentric end groove to receive the collar 27, and one-half of this grooved section is cut away to provide access to the set screw 28 of the latter. Each collar 24 also is longitudinally slotted to receive a protuberance or vane 3i) which is suitably secured in the groove and projects radially from the outer periphery of the collar 24 to engage the trailing edge of a card after the latter has passed through the feed rolls 10, 11 as will presently be explained in greater detail.

The feed rolls 10, 11 are provided with respective annular rgrooves 32, 33, and a card patter member 34 has a card engaging tail portion 35 and end prongs or fingers 36 which normally lie within the grooves 33 of the roll 11 and serve to preclude any tendency a card may have to hang on or stick to the lower roll 11. The patter member 34 is pivotally supported by a bar 37 having reentrant arms 38 pivoted at 39 (Fig. 3) to the end frames 15, 16 of the machine. The arm 37 also has affixed thereto a projection 4i) for a purpose presently to be explained.

Secured to the end frames 15, 16 are studs 42 having reduced end portions 43 upon which are rotatably supported a member 44 having an L-shaped baffle member 45 afhxed at one end and a pinion gear 46 integral with the other end and meshing with the gear portion 26 of the collar 24. The reduced end portion 43 of the stud 42 is grooved to receive a C-washer 47 by which to secure the member 44 in place on the stud.

Figs. 1 and 3 illustrate more clearly the construction of the card hopper which includes a sloping platform 52 Yas it enters the feed rolls 10,111.

Vthe' broken-line vane position 31)'.

bafe members 45 have moved to their broken-line posi- Y i Y 2,827,294

integral with a back wall` 53 against which the Vstack of cardsV rests.V The platform is secured by'machine screws 54V to a column 55 which telescopes into a cylindrical support guide .56. Enclosed within the guide 56 is a helical spring, not shown, which biasesV the columneSS upwardly-but permits it to drop downwardly Vin proportion tothe weight of ards'which are stacked platform 52; l f f Y' As shown more clearlyin Fig. 4, one'of thexcollars 24 is provided with a pin 60 which engages theprojection of the bame supporting bar 37 Vfor a short interval during each revolution ofthe collarj Each such engagement deflects the cardengaging tail portion 35 of the patter member 34V into card engaging relation Vvas will .be explained kmore fully hereinafter.

Considering now the Yoperationriof the card stacking `machine described, and referringlto the enlarged fragmentary view, of Fig. 5, theleading edge of a card 65 is shown about to enter the feed rollsAY 10, 11. At this time,

the card pusher vanes or protuberances 30 are approximately seven-eighths Vof a Ycycle point`A ahead of the card and thus in no manner-affect the Vrnotion of the card 65v the card 65 will have advanced through the feed rolls 10, 11 to the position occupied lby the card 66. As indicated in Fig. 5, neither the baffle members 45 nor the card pushervanes Silhave as yet come in contact Vwith the card 66 and all motion of the-latter hasV been the result of the propelling action of the feed rolls 10, 11.

Since the card movement. at this point is the result of its inertia, its forwardspeed will become somewhatV less thanthat of the gear drivenV pusher vanes 30 with the Vresult that the latter overtake and engage. the trailing edge of the card atla time approximately indicated by At the same time the tion Wheretheyengage and depress the upper Vrear Vedge of the card to maintain the trailing edge of the card upon the Y Orne card cycle later,V

Y, further advantage that thesimplicity of construction inin engagement with the pusher vanes 30. It will be seen Vthat thisposition of the baffle members insures that the trailing edge of the card 66 is maintained in underlapping relation with the leading edge4V ofY aV succeeding card fed through the feed rolls 19, 11. These functions of the baie members are perhaps especially important when processing warped card stock. vThe pusher vanes 30 continue to move to their broken-line'position 30 while the bafe members i5 continue Atheir movementV to their broken-line position 45 further insuring that the Vcard 66, now shown, in broken-line position 66', remains in engagement with the pusher 'vanes 30 andrits trailing edge is further deflected below the trajectory of the succeeding card passingpthrough the feed rolls 10, 1l. The pusher vanes 3@ thus further propel the card 66 toward its stacked position in the card hopper.v

Y As the card ultimately becomes disengaged with theL pusher vanes 36 and baiile members 45 and its trailing Y imparts a buffer effect as the card further falls into positionv in the hopper, This insures a uniformly even stack of cards in the hopper. Y v

ltV will be apparent from the foregoing descriptionV 0f the invenn'on that a card stacking machine Vembodying the invention essentially includes only rotating cardengaging components thus to provide a very simple con- Ystruction characterized by an enhanced rate of card processing. The synchronized relationships of the moving componentsV are accuratelyY established and maintained with .close tolerances littleraffected by normal wear during a prolonged operating life. of ,the machine. v.There is the each card near the trailing edge thereof to deflect said trailing edge below the leading edge of a succeeding card.

2. A card stacking machine comprising, opposed feedY rolls for feeding successive cards into a card hopper, pusher members co-aXially supported by one of said feed rolls and mechanically connected to be driven lat reduced l angular velocity with relation to said one -roll for engaging the rear edge of each `card to effect subsequent continued forward propulsion thereof into'said hopper, and

bale members'rotating in unison with said pusher members for engaging the surface of each card near the trailing edge thereof to deectsaid trailing edge into said pusher members and below the leading edge of a succeeding card. Y e

3. Acard stacking machine comprising, feed means for feeding successi/,ve cards into a card hoppenrpusher members moving in timed relation to Vsaid feed means for engaging the rear edge of each card to eectr'subsequent continued forward propulsion `thereof into said hopper, and an oscillatory patterV member moving in timed relation to said pusher members to engage and drop :the trailing edge of each card onto a stack thereof in the said hopper.

4. A card stacking machine-comprising, cooperating Y opposed rolls for propelling cards in succession edgewise through space toward Va hopper, propelling membersv moving to engage the trailing edge of each card immediately after leaving said feed rolls further to propel each card forwardly Yand downwardly into said hopper, and

a patter member moving first inY a forwardly direction'to engage said lagging edge of each card after disengage-V ment thereof fromrsaid Vpropelling membersand moving thereafter in a rearwardly direction to ease said vcard onto a stackY thereof in said hopper.

5. A -card stacking machine comprising, meansy for propelling cards in succession edgewise through free rspace for unsupported free fall toward a hopper, means for -deilecting the trailing end of-each card Ibelow the trajectory follower by the forward end of a succeeding card, and means moving in an arcuate pathV for engaging Vthe trailing edge ofeach deected card for further propulsion thereof through free" space as the card drops toward stacked position'in said hopper.

Y 6. A card stacking machine comprising, means for propelling cardsV in succession-edgewise through space toward a hopper, means moving in an arcuate path for engaging the top trailing end ofeach card to deflect said Yend below'thetrajectory followed by the forward end of a succeeding card, and means moving einenV arcuate path complementing said deflection for 'engaging and propelling the trai ingedge `of each card while said card drops toward stacked position in saidnhop per.

saidV rolls including journaled endV shafts, a collar positioned at each end of one of said rolls and journaled to rotate freely on the end shaft thereof, a gear unitary with Veach said collar and meshing with a drive gear fixed to the shaft of the other of said feed rolls, said gears having a step-down ratio whereby each said collar hasslightlyV less angular velocity than'said driverolls, 'and a vane projecting-radially fromthe periphery of each said collar and extending longitudinally fthereofto engage the 7. AV card stacking machine comprising, cooperating feed rolls for feeding'successive cards into al card hopper,

trailing edge of each card to efect subsequent continued forward propulsion thereof into said hopper.

8. A card stacking machine comprising, feed rolls for feeding successive cards into a car-d hopper, said rolls including journaled end shafts, a pair of collars journaled to rotate freely on individual end shafts of one feed roll and geared to he driven from the other of said rolls at less than feed-roll angular velocity, radially projecting vanes on said collars for engaging the rear edge of each card passing through said rolls to effect subsequent continued propulsion thereof into said hopper, and a pair of baffle members rotating at the same angular velocity as said vanes but in advanced-position opposing relation to individual ones thereof to maintain the trailing edge of each card in engagement with said vanes during a predetermined card propulsion period.

9. A card stacking machine comprising, cooperating feed rolls for feeding successive cards into a card hopper, said rolls having journaled end shafts, collars journaled on said end shafts at individual -ends of one of said rolls and rotatably driven from the other of said rolls, a vane projecting radially from the periphery of each said collar and extending longitudinally thereof to engage the trailing edge of each card and effect subsequent continued forward propulsion thereof into said hopper, and a patter member actuated by at least one of said collars to move into and out of engagement with the trailing edge of each card following completion of propulsion thereof by said vanes to settle said each card into position in said hopper.

10. A card stacking machine comprising, cooperating feed rolls for feeding successive cards into a hopper, said rolls having journaled end shafts, a collar positioned at each end of one of said rolls and journaled to rotate freely ion the end shaft thereof, a gear unitary with each said collar meshing with a drive gear fixed to the shaft of the vother of said feed rolls, a vane projecting radially from the periphery of each said collar and extending longitudinally thereof to engage the trailing edge of each card and effect subsequent continued forward propulsion thereof into said hopper, and a pivoted oscillatory p'atter member cam-actuated by a pin on at least `one of said collars to pivot in one direction into engagement with the trailing edge of each card following completion of propulsion thereof by said vanes and thereafter to pivot in opposite direction to settle said each card into position in said hopper.

1l. A card stacking machine comprising, cooperating feed rolls for feeding successive ycards into a card hopper, said rolls Ihaving journaled end shafts, a collar positioned at each end of one of said rolls and journaled to rotate freely on the end shaft thereof, a gear unitary with each said collar meshing with a drive gear fixed to the shaft of the other of said fed rolls, a vane projecting radially from the periphery of each said collar to engage the trailing edge of each card and effect subsequent continued forward propulsion thereof into said hopper, and a pair of baie members geared to individual ones of said collars to rotate at the same angular velocity as said vanes but timed to move in advanced-position opposing relationship to individual ones thereof to maintain the trailing edge of each card in engagement with said vanes during a predetermined card propulsion period.

l2. A card stacking machine comprising, feed rolls for propelling cards in succession edgewise through space toward a hopper, one of said rolls including spaced annular grooves in the circumference thereof, propelling members moving to engage the trailing edge of each card after disengagement thereof with said feed rolls further to propel said each card toward said hopper, and a patter member including portion arranged to move in a forwardly direction to engage said lagging edge of each card after disengagement thereof from said propelling members and moving thereafter in a rearwardly direction to ease said card onto a stack thereof in `said hopper.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,545,912 MaXson .Tuly 14, 1925 1,752,648 Matthews Apr. 1, 1930 1,898,704 Winkler Feb. 21, 1933 2,381,719 Brintnall Aug. 7, 1945 2,566,240 Mursch Aug. 28, 1951 

